Depletion of natural forest resources is a global phenomenon. Due to rapid population growth and increase in demands of people, large tracts of forests are lost.

The main causes of loss of forest resources are:

(i) Population explosion: The rapid growth in population along with increase in life expectancy due to better medical facilities results in requirement of more raw materials and space. Forests are hence consumed.

(ii) Agriculture: shifting cultivation, overgrazing, cash crop economy render forest land unusable and barren.

(iii) Commercial logging: cutting trees for sale as timber or pulp for sale in markets result in the felling of large number of trees which take time for regeneration.

(iv) Poverty: Poor people in search of shelter occupy forests and practise unscientific methods of living which degrade the forests.

(v) Mining: Excessive mining activities spoil land and alter drainage of the natural forest area. It also displaces trees. |

(vi) Dams: Construction of dams require clearance of large tracts of land.

(vii) Infrastructure creation for logging

(viii) Forest: fires due to manmade activities like camping, smoking lead to burning of large tracts of forests.

(ix) Acid rain

(x) Development projects and housing projects.

Effects of loss of forest cover:

(i) Soil erosion:

Soil is exposed to wind, sunlight, and evaporation due to deforestation. Soil fertility goes down due to soil erosion and rapid leaching of essential mineral nutrients.

(ii) Harm to fisheries:

As the soil is eroded, it accelerates siltation in dams, rivers, and the coastal zone. The increased sedimentation harms downstream fisheries.

(iii) More floods and droughts:

Because of deforestation, there is no regulation of the flow into rivers. As result, floods and droughts alternate in the affected areas.

(iv) Habitat loss of wildlife:

Butterflies, migratory birds, wild animals suffer due to the loss of their habitat.

(v) Extinction of some species:

Many species are affected and some get extinct.

(vi) Local and global climate changes:

The rainfall pattern is affected as the forest is cut down. Local and global climate changes may result from deforestation.

(vii) Global warming:

If the trees are burned, the carbon is released immediately as carbon dioxide which leads to global warming.

(viii) Danger for the survival of local communities:

Local forest dwelling communities lose their source of food, fuel etc.